1
as in to activate
to cause to function
a light actuated by a motion detector the alarm system actuates the door locks
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to move
to set or keep in motion
hearing depends on sound vibrations that actuate the complex mechanism of that sensory organ, the ear
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of actuate
Optical switches actuate via light rather than metal contacts.
—
Zackery Cuevas,
PC Magazine,
6 Apr. 2026
Creating such complex structures combining soft and rigid features and actuating them with artificial muscles would further our understanding of natural kinematic structures.
—
IEEE Spectrum,
6 Mar. 2026
The robots respond differently depending on how researchers actuate them.
—
Aamir Khollam,
Interesting Engineering,
29 Jan. 2026
With 265-front and 295-rear summer meat connecting them to the pavement, the CLE53 never felt lacking in this department, and the pedal was rather pleasant to actuate.
—
Peter Nelson,
Forbes.com,
20 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for actuate
Zackery Cuevas,
PC Magazine,
6 Apr. 2026
Creating such complex structures combining soft and rigid features and actuating them with artificial muscles would further our understanding of natural kinematic structures.
—
IEEE Spectrum,
6 Mar. 2026
The robots respond differently depending on how researchers actuate them.
—
Aamir Khollam,
Interesting Engineering,
29 Jan. 2026
With 265-front and 295-rear summer meat connecting them to the pavement, the CLE53 never felt lacking in this department, and the pedal was rather pleasant to actuate.
—
Peter Nelson,
Forbes.com,
20 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for actuate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for actuate
Verb
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Beliefs bump against reality as the emotional Moon activates your 9th House of Learning, quincunx combative Mars in your 4th House of Home.
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The previous phases decompress, mobilize and activate individual areas; this one integrates all of those aspects into coordinated, whole-body functional movement.
Verb
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The pair moved to the parking lot, where several others became involved.
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The Eastern Pacific remains a key corridor for narcotics trafficking, with criminal organizations frequently using small vessels to move drugs toward North America.
Verb
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Still, despite the squad’s positivity, the match triggered a lot of bad memories in the minds of Spain fans everywhere ahead of what many thought could be an excellent chance to earn the nation’s second World Cup.
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In February, an exposure at a state high school wrestling championship triggered at least 46 cases among attendees.
Verb
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Those moves unfold in the heart of the Pittsburgh Innovation District, where Oakland’s mix of universities, hospitals and startups is driving new construction and intensifying competition for space around campus.
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The shooting took place in Towson Circle as the Majied and the suspect were driving in different cars.
Verb
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Despite the lack of physical or video evidence, Kim said Rinderknecht is the only person who could have sparked the blaze.
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This marks an increase of nearly 8% from the price that sparked national headlines.
Verb
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His energy and hunger propelled him out of Argentina to a successful playing career in Europe, followed by a swift transition to management at top clubs in England, France and Spain.
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The overseas vote largely favored Fujimori, who was propelled by massive support from voters in the United States and Japan.
Verb
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That hardware, in turn, provides the foundation to power next-generation artificial intelligence models.
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The solar array does not power the building directly but provides power into the city power grid.
Cite this Entry
“Actuate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/actuate. Accessed 25 Jun. 2026.
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